Operating device for car couplers



June 11, 1935. SMALL OPERATING DEVICE FOR CAR COUPLERS Filed March 14, 1931 Patented June 11, 1935 STARS OPERATING Davies FOR o'An GOUPLERS poration of Delaware Application March 14, 1931, Serial No. 522,572 1 1 Claim. (01.213 17) This invention relates to a device for operatmg a railway car coupler mounted upon the car for lateral and longitudinal movement and having a pivoted knuckle provided with a tail en- 5'gageable with a knuckle lock to which such an operating device is connected. The invention relates specifically to a railway car coupler having an anti-creep feature which is so formed-that the lock can be raisedto an unlocked position by the operating device, but cannot be raised by the creeping action of the locks due to the service movements of the car. Some of such couplers are provided with a member mounted upon the coupler and arranged to operate the coupler upon rotation of an operating rod operatively attached thereto.

Another object is to provide such a device which accommodates the longitudinal and lateral service movements of the coupler without affecting the eificiency of the device.

Another object is to provide a device wherein the handle thereof will return to normal vertical position when the coupler is left in lock-set posiion.

Another object of the invention is to provide such an operating device which is operable from anywhere between the coupler and the side wall of the car so that a trainman may throw the knuckle lock with one hand and operate the coupler with the other hand. 7

Another object of the invention is to providea car coupler operating device which may also be used as a car coupler positioning device; that is, may be used to position'the coupler laterally.

Another object is to provide a device having an operating rod which forms the handle of the device and is so arranged that a mans hand will not slip off the handle, which is possible in a device having a depending handle.

The Interstate Commerce Commission safety appliance acts specify that the depending handle of an operating rod for car coupler shall not exceed fifteen inches (15") from the center of the fulcrum to the end of the handle, therefore, the mechanical leverage obtainable by such a handle is the distance from the center of the operators hand to the fulcrum, which is usually about twelve inches (12"). However, when an operator grabs the horizontal portion of my device the distance from the center of his hand to the fulcrum (bracket bearing) is the full fifteen inches (15") and the device complies with the law, therefore, the lever arm has been increased about twenty-five percent (25%). In other words, with the same amount of force applied my'mechanism is twenty-f ve percent}- (25%) stronger thanlthedevice now in general use. Another object of the invention is to provide a horizontal step for trainmen climbing up or down 5-;-

the car, which-might also belused as a horizontal grab iron fora trainman caught between 'the,

cars; I a

Another object of the'invention 'isto provide an operating rod-for such a coupler having a 10 stabilizer which is associated with apart of the car (preferably a bracket mounted on the car)'-.-

so as to stabilize theur'od by'jgravity' against a rotative movement thereof 'wh'icl'r would releasev the coupler-'anti-creepfeature. The device is preferably'arrang'edto stabilize. the 'rodagainstu a rotative movement in either direction, as a swinging movement of the handle toward the car might cause a swinging movementaway from the car, which latter movement would unlock the 20 anti-creep.

In the drawing:

Figs. 1, 2 and 3 show the preferred form of the invention. g

Figs. 4, Sand 6 show a modified form wherein 25 the upright portion of the operating rod is provided with a substantially horizontal portion forming a handle.

Figs. '7, 8 and 9 show a modified form of the device provided with a stabilizer.

The coupler 2, as is customary, is mounted uponv the car so as to move laterally and longitudinally thereof in service. The coupler comprises a member 3 arranged to operate the coupler which member is usually supported below the coupler 35 head by means integralwith the coupler; (A typical coupler of this type is shown in Kinne Patent No. 1,639,300, August 16, 1927.)

Figs. 1, 2 and 3 show the preferred form of my invention comprising a' bracket mounted upon 40 the car and an operating rod. The operating rod comprises a substantially horizontal shank 5 with its inner end operatively connected to the member 3 of the coupler and a substantially upright member 4 hingedto the outer end of the shank 5 45 to move relative to each other only in their common plane which member is supported at its upper end upon the bracket 1 so that as the coupler moves laterally in service the member swings back and forth upon the bracket. The rings 8-8 50 form a handle to keep the operators fingers away from the hinge joint. y

In order to stabilize the device and preven it from swinging, whichmight rotate the rotor of the coupler or unlock the coupler anti-creep lock, 55

ing rod around the bracket 1, which is done by, preferably catching hold of the rod 5 adjacent the upright member 4. However, the rod may be grabbed anywhere between its connection to the coupler and the upright 'rnember 4Q .Fur'ther more, the coupler can be moved laterally by means of this operating rod forming what is commonly called a positioning device. a;

Figs. 4, 5 and 6 Show the hinge; atn aiona between the shank 2| and upright member 22 of the operating rod positioned far enough away from upright member to form a handle 23 for the,

operator without catching his fingers in the hinge parts. v Figs. 7, 8 and 9 show a modified construction wherein the device is provided with a stabilizer for the operating rod which, in theform illustrated, comprises a relatively wide bar. 39 providing a bearing ,on the bracket and the upright member 3| of the operating rod is formed with spaced apart portions 33 34 engaging thelmar gins of the bar so that as the operating rodis,

swung the weight of the operatingrod is shifted to one of said portions, cau'singa tendency for the rod to return, to-normal position bygravity,

The top of the loop forming the spaced apartpon tions is arched to clear any accumulation of dirt or ice on the bar. An aperture may be provided to allow dirt and snow to fall through.

In my application Serial No. 522,573, filed March 14, 1931, which matured into Patent No. 1,915,387, on June 27, 1933, upon improvements in Car coupler operating device I have disclosed and claimed certain features disclosed but not claimed in this application. v

The accompanying drawing illustrates the preferred form of the invention; though it is to be understoodthat the invention is not limited to the exact details of. construction shown and described, as it is obvious that various modifications thereof withinthescope of the claim, will occur to persons skilled in the art.

I claim:

In a railwayicar, an operating device for use with a car coupler mounted upon the car to move laterally in service and having a member mounted upon the coupler arranged to operate the coupler upon-rotation of an operating rod, said device comprising a bracket mounted upon the car,; an operating rod having a shank operatively cons-1 nected to the member at its inner end,- and a sub-: stantially upright member loosely supported at its upper end by'said bracket to swing lengthwise;

and .sidewise of the car, the lower end ofwsaid upright member having a horizontal'portionex-fl tending inwardly toward the coupler'substantially in alignment with said shank and forming a han-, dle hingedly attached at its inner end to the; shank in such manner that said upright member and shank move relative to each other only in a single plane.

' ARTHUR E. sMALL. 

